COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team dropped the regular season finale to Capital University, 79-74 on Saturday (Feb. 27) evening.  The win improves the Crusaders record to 5-5 overall and 5-5 in Ohio Athletic Conference play, and the loss drops the Pioneers to 6-6 overall and 6-6 in the OAC.  

"After being really tough inside on Friday night, we were not tough enough around the rim tonight," said Head Coach Kole Vivian.  "I loved the effort on the glass, but we couldn't keep them out of the lane with their post ups or ball screens."

Capital opened the game on a 5-0 run, as they scored on their first two possessions of the game.  Marietta instantly responded with a 7-0 run, to take a 7-5 edge at the 6:17 minute mark of the quarter.  The run was sparked by five points from Olivia Gribble (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) and capped by a jumper from Erin Hahn (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville).  After the game was tied at 8-8, the Crusaders went on a 6-0 run to take a 14-8 edge.  Once again the Pioneers answered with a 7-0 run, to take a 15-14 edge, with two minutes to play in the quarter.  The run was highlighted by a three from Kate Liston (Little Hocking, Ohio/Warren Local).  Capital scored the final bucket of the quarter, and led 17-15 edge into the second.  

The teams traded baskets for the first six minutes of the second quarter and the Crusaders held a 35-34 edge.  Over the next three and a half minutes Marietta went on a 10-1 run, and took a 44-36 advantage, with under a minute to play in the half.  Liston, Gribble, Ellen Vichill (Olmsted Falls, Ohio/St. Joseph Academy), and Makenzie Wilson (Wapakoneta, Ohio/Wapakoneta) all scored during the run, and the Pioneers led 44-39 at the intermission.

Early in the third quarter, Capital was able to trim the Marietta edge to 46-45.  The Pioneers answered with a 7-0 run, that gave them a 53-45 edge, with four minutes to play in the quarter.  The run was well-rounded with Gribble, Camille Cummins (MIddlefield, Ohio/Cardinal), and Madison Cecil (Centerburg, Ohio/Highland) all scoring.  The Crusaders ended the third quarter strong with a 10-0 run to lead 55-53.  Marietta ended the quarter with a three pointer from Jill Congrove (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm), and the Pioneers entered the fourth quarter ahead, 56-55.  

Capital opened the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run, that gave them a 64-58 edge at the 6:16 minute mark of the quarter.  Marietta halted the run with back to back jumpers from Congrove and Hahn.  The Pioneers continued to battle back when a jumper from Wilson trimmed the Crusaders lead to 66-65.  Capital went on an 8-1 run that spanned three minutes of play, and won 79-74.

Marietta was led by Hahn, she had her fourth double-double of the season with 16 points, and 12 assists.  Gribble scored 20 points, had two assists, and a block.  Hannah Schill (Rootstown, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) tallied 10 points, on 3-5 shooting from behind the arc.    

The Pioneers will return to the hardwood on Tuesday (March 2) when they travel to take on the University of Mount Union in the OAC tournament.     

Fans can follow all of the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.